Unnao bids teary adieu to Pulwama martyr Ajit Kumar Azad

Mortal remails of Azad were consigned to flames amid slogans against Pakistan

KANPUR: Hundreds of thousands of locals attended the last rites of CRPF jawan Ajit Kumar Azad who was martyred in the Pulwama terrorist attack on Saturday. Emotions ran high as the people expressed their anger over the dastardly act by terrorists. The entire Unnao town remained shut to express solidarity with the martyr's kin. People flocked the Ganga Ghat to witness the cremation of Azad. The procession carrying the mortal remains of the martyr took over three hours to reach the ghat from his residence in Lok Nagar area. People from all walks of life formed a human chain and stood on the roadside as the procession moved from Lok Nagar to Ganga Ghat. Later in the afternoon, the mortal remains of Azad were consigned to flames amid slogans against Pakistan. Military and state honours were accorded to the martyr. The pyre was lit by Azad's younger brother amid the chanting of vedic mantras. Azad is survived by his wife and two daughters aged seven and four.

Locals said that they also wished to die the same way one day. They said that they were proud of Ajit Kumar Azad. "He left us at a very young age. His children are very young. His martyrdom will not go in vain. It will inspire thousands of Unnao youths to join forces and fight terrorists," said a resident.